Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-01-27

Condensed from a Paper Jan. 6, 1887 Before
the Farmers Institute at Tomah, by Mr.. j i.
S. Stickney, of Wauwatosa, Wis.
Before entering upon the discussion
of his subject, Mr.. Stickney remarked
that he did not come before the audi
ence as a skillful cranberry grower of
long experience, but as one who had
invested in the business for about ten
years, and in order to make his invest
ments profitable had been led to think,
investigate and ask questions on
cranberry culture, some of the results
of which he now presented for criti-
cism. He earnestly hoped there were
no other cranberry growers as unsuc-
cessful as himself, but thought that if
all of them were brought out there
would be too many of them to be lone
some. Careful, analysis. he believes
would show that most of the failures
were due to similar causes.
The paper was largely descriptive of
the results of the authors experience
on his own marsh near Norway Ridge,
this county, which is in charge of Mr.
G. W. Ziegler, and on this account
will be of special interest and value to,
cranberry growers in this immediate
vicinity. At Mr.. Stickney's request
some portions of the paper will be
considerably condensed.
Some Of the conditions necessary to
successful cranberry culture were first
spoken of, chief among which is the
proper water supply. The speaker
said:
Chief among mistakes, | think has
been too much water all summer.
My predecessor, to make sure of
water had built heavy sand dam at
the lowest line of the marsh and
lighter dams above Next to this
sand dam was level of perhaps 10
acres having on it few scattering
vines which in about three years were
to become mass of solid productive
vines because their water supply was
sure. Nine years thereafter that most
promising level was as bare of vines
and fruit as at first, because of too
much water. On the balance of the
marsh the vines have perhaps doubled;
sage and feather brush have doubled
also; moss has fallen off one half or
more. All the while we have been
''producing conditions according to
the best theories of the most expert
enced growers; all the while figuring
how much 100 acres would yield at
100 bushels per acre; all the while
walking over 100 acres of marsh to
find vines enough to closely occupy
perhaps FIVE acres; and all the while
holding the water so high, to mature
and protect the few scattering berries,
as to check and almost defeat the
growth of new vines. After nine
years of this sort of management, we
in the spring of 1886 concluded to see
if we could grow vines whether we
grew fruit or not, and drew all the
water that we could from the marsh.
Kind nature came to our aid and evap-
grated what would not flow off, thus
producing excellent conditions-for
big fire! And in August the big fire
came, but not until it was plainly evil
dent that vines were making such a
growth as we had never seen before.
That fire burned deep and through and
destroyed 80 per cent. of all our vines,
root and branch--a sad and disapoint-
ing loss, leaving behind black and
uninviting field, but to US its results
are not all bad With the vines it
cleared away worlds OF worthless rub
bish and in six days thereafter we were
experimenting its work by removing
all the Objectionable things that re,
manned; so that we now have 80 acres
in excellent condition for new vines in
the spring. We shall not be bothered
with berries in the three coming years,
and at the end thereof shall know GER
tain whether we can grow vines or not.
If yes, then we will hope further on to
grow berries also.
Our next problem is how best to
pldul, duu nGtSs do III all SlSe CueTG Is
diversity of opinions, ranging from
sods of vines to two-inch cuttings.
That two-inch cuttings, under favora-
bic conditions Will grow, [ have no
doubt Rare and choice varieties
would go much farther in that way
than by six-inch cuttings. Perhaps
they would be year longer in matur-
ing but doubt it. The slight cover
ing admissible could be given with a
light roller, with inch long cogs, or by
Founders with similar projections, or
in other ways that ingenuity would
suggest. This plan of short cuttings
We shall give a faithful trial in the
spring, but the bulk Of our paintings
will be with about six-inch cuttings, 2
to 4 in a place, foot apart each way
and either stepped in with an attach
ment to the boot, or pressed in with a
long fiat stick-the stepping in being
more expeditions, but leaving them in
an upright position; while the other
gives them leaning or half recumbent